Taking most of the day off after the Tourism Leadership Conference

I am exhausted from two intense days at TIAC's Canadian Tourism Leadership Conference and staying up late to see US President Elect Barack Obama's victory speech. So, I am taking most of the day off. The Leadership Conference was a success by all accounts especially under the current economic uncertainty. Attendance, while not record breaking, was substantial. There were many interesting and important sessions. From what I heard the two sessions that seemed to resonate most with attendees were the session with Chris Cahill, President and Ceo of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and the session an Authenticity by author Jim Gilmore. The CTC's annual public meeting and update was also quite impressive and very informative especially in respect of how the Canadian Tourism Commission is working to leverage the 2010 Winter Games before and after the event. We were very pleased to have in attendance at the conference Ms. Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism (photo). Ms. Ablonczy is our champion at the federal level. She understands the importance of tourism and its contribution to the canadian economy and canadian employment. Most tourism businesses in Canada are small businesses and it is important for these businesses that the government understands the challenges they face and that policies be put in place to make sure these businesses can thrive.

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Jaime